Community participation in natural resources management: A case of natural forest management in Manyoni district

Abstract

This study on community participation in natural resources management was carried out in Manyoni District. Specifically the study focused at community involvement in natural forest management, the practice of participatory planning in the lower local governments, and the factors that influence community participation in natural forest management in the study area. The study was a cross-sectional design. A total of 85 community members and 15 key respondents were selected for the study drawn using purposive and random sampling techniques in the selected wards. Interviews, questionnaires, personal observation, and focus group discussions were used to collect primary data, whereas a documentary review was used to obtain secondary. Data analyses used computer-aided programs MS Excel and a Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for quantitative data, whereas content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. The study found that participation in natural forest management was low as it was driven by the tobacco companies with only two small community groups involved in natural forest management; there was a relationship between demographic characteristics, economic activities, institutional set-ups, enforcement of rules, and regulations and participation of the community in natural forest management. On the other hand, lack of incentives for the community members involved in natural forest management, uncontrolled immigrants, limited training and information flow, shortage of qualified staff, and ineffective institutional frameworks were some of the factors that influence community participation in natural forest management. This study recommends regular training to the local leaders at Village and Ward levels, collaborative programs by the government, NGOs, and FBOs to facilitate participation in planning, monitoring, and evaluation of natural forest management activities as well as devolvement of forest extension services to the ward and village level in order to enhance participatory natural forest management